The News From Israel

02.21.13

Ignoring The Impending Abyss

"On Army Radio, (radio host) Razi Barkai will examine every jot and tittle of the Ya’alon outline for 'equality of the burden' as compared to the Lapid outline, but he will not make any fuss about a few Shin Bet heads who say the government is leading us into the abyss."
--Journalist Yossi Klein remarks on the local silence over the serious issues raised in the Oscar-nominated film, The Gatekeepers.

Today: Massive demonstration to release Palestinian hunger strikers - The disorderly conduct in the W. Bank in the last week and the enormous demonstrations calling for the release of hunger striking prisoners marks a significant rise in the regularity and the scope of activity, say security sources. (Maariv, p. 4/NRG Hebrew)

The best defense is a strong offense - Testing of IDF officers reveals they are strong in offensive strategy, but lacking in defensive thinking. The Armored Corps records the highest scores in IDF combat doctrine, with an average 86.41%, while Combat Intelligence Collection Corps records the weakest score at 82.22%. (Israel Hayom)

Controversial drilling: Israel to award licenses to search for oil in Golan Heights - The announcement of the awarding of the licenses to Effi Eitam's Genie Energy will take place a few days before the arrival of Obama to Israel and is likely to cause a harsh international reaction in light of the Golan considered occupied territory according to international law. (Maariv, Morning Globes supplement, Yedioth, p. 26)